A little end-of-season maintenance can help extend the life of your garden tools. With bulbs stored, houseplants moved indoors, and garden beds mulched, don’t forget about your valuable tools before winter sets in.

Hand Tools

If you’ve been cleaning and drying your hand tools—rakes, shovels, trowels, garden forks—after each use, you’re nearly ready for winter storage. If they need a scrub, wear goggles and use a stiff-bristled brush to remove dirt or rust. Fine sandpaper or steel wool can help with minor rust spots.

Sharpen dull tools used for digging or cutting, filing down any nicks. Wear heavy gloves to protect your hands while sharpening. If you lack sharpening equipment, check if a local hardware store can handle it.

Inspect wooden handles by running your hands along them to check for cracks or splinters. Use medium-grit sandpaper to smooth any rough wood, and replace broken handles—glues and tape rarely hold up. To remove a tool head, wear goggles and gently tap with a ball-peen hammer; avoid using a nail hammer on metal, as it can create flying fragments.

Coat metal parts with light oil or a lubricant like WD-40. For wooden handles, apply linseed oil. Hang tools in a shed or garage, away from weather exposure. Alternatively, keep small hand tools in a bucket of sand mixed with oil to help prevent rust.

Lawn Mowers

For small, gas-powered engines, draining the fuel before storage helps prevent damage to plastic and rubber parts and reduces moisture that can cause rust. Follow your owner’s manual for specific storage instructions.

If draining fuel, run the mower until empty. Otherwise, add a fuel stabilizer to a full tank, then run the engine briefly to circulate the mixture. Disconnect the battery and spark plug to prevent accidental starts. Remove and sharpen or replace the blade, and follow manufacturer instructions for oil changes or oil-and-gas mixtures.

After cleaning the frame, carefully tilt the mower to wash underneath, using a tool to scrape off dirt or clippings. Avoid working around the blades with your hands. Once dry, replace the spark plugs and store the mower in a dry area away from appliances with pilot lights. Wait until spring to reconnect the battery and ignition cable.

For string trimmers, replace the line now to be ready for the next growing season.

Garden Sprayers

Clean sprayers inside and out with soapy water and flush the lines by spraying the mixture through them. Rinse with clean water and allow them to dry completely before storage. Also, store any chemicals used in sprayers in a location that won’t freeze.

Garden Hoses

Remove nozzles and drain hoses thoroughly. Repair any leaks with electrical or garden hose repair tape and replace worn washers or ends if needed. Coil hoses to prevent kinks and store them out of the elements.

This seasonal care keeps your tools in excellent condition, ready for use when spring arrives.